As the number of children in the custody of the Department of Family and Protective Services continues to rise, Brush Country CASA ramps up the search for community volunteers who will speak up for children in foster care. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers are desperately needed and right now there are more children in local foster care than the current volunteer base can serve. New CASA billboards have been placed in Alice, two off of N. Flournoy Road near Pizza Hut and one off of E. Main Street across from Pueblo Tires. Brush Country CASA will also host monthly information sessions on the second Wed. of the month from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm at the Alice Chamber of Commerce, 612 E. Main Street. Anyone interested in becoming a CASA is encouraged to attend!

"Our children are our greatest resource. It is very important that their voice is heard as they journey through the foster care system," said Nicole Ortegon, Outreach Director. "Our need for volunteers is urgent so we ask the citizens of Alice to take a stand against abuse and neglect, and advocate for our local children."

When a child enters foster care because his or her home is no longer safe, a CASA volunteer can be appointed by a Judge to represent the child’s best interest. This volunteer guides the child through the child protective system with the goal of finding a safe and permanent home. Volunteers often become one of the only consistent adults for a foster child, spending a significant amount of time with the child.

The work of a CASA volunteer also involves gathering information from everyone involved in the child’s daily life, including family members, foster parents, teachers, doctors and social workers. CASA volunteers gather information and report to the Judge, while advocating for the child’s physical, mental and emotional needs. CASA volunteers are not foster parents; they are highly trained community advocates with a powerful voice for a child or sibling group.

To learn how you can help children in your community, please join us for our first monthly info session on Wed. March 14th from 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm at the Alice Chamber of Commerce. Not from Alice? Find your local CASA program at BecomeACASA.org or contact Nicole at 361.595.7233. Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older and be willing to commit to at least one year of advocacy. No special educational background or experience is required. Every child deserves a chance... It's YOU! Join the movement. Step up to help local kids today! Call now to get started.